THE AUCTION

Two years after THE AUCTION

Renae POV

I have been looking forward to this trip all month. When Tara suggested we celebrate her divorce with a weekend in the French Quarter, I jumped on it. I have not been to New Orleans in a while. I need a few nights filled with music, booze, and dancing.

Before she married Mr. Straight and fucking narrow, we would go down at least once a month. We would stay in this fabulous rental house and party like we were locals. I was so ecstatic to find out the house was available for rent this weekend. The same guy still owns it. That is a bonus. He will be something nice to look at while we are there.

Tara really needs this weekend, and I fully plan to give her a good one. Maybe I can talk her into staying longer. Marrying Jake was such a mistake. I know she loved him, but damn, why him? I have every intention to make this a wild woman’s weekend. I have already sent out a massive text to everyone we know that lives in New Orleans. Non-Stop party as soon as we get there. A girl's weekend with no one around to fuck with us.

I pick up the phone and select her contact from the list. I hit call. The phone rings forever. “Tara, hey love, Are you packed?” I ask her.

“Yes, I am packed and ready. What time do you get off work?” Tara asks.

I look up at the clock. It is 10 minutes until 3 a.m. “In about ten minutes. I have everything in the car and will head straight to you when I leave here,” I say.

“See you in a few. Be careful it is raining,” Tara says.

“Love you, sis,” I say, and I hang up the phone.

I dash the back of the club. I have to get all this oil off of me. I do not understand why we have to be so damn oily. I bet every dollar in my g string is greasy. I will get Jules to change out my money before I leave. I am not taking all this greasy ass money with me.

As I make my way back to the dressing room, Jules stops me. “Hey sexy,” he says, smiling just enough I can see his fangs.

Jules, I swear the hottest vampire club owner in this little town. His long blonde hair and dark green eyes make him so yummy.

“Hey sexy,” I say back to him. I smile at him. I should bear hug his ass, so he is covered in oil too.

“You and Tara are still leaving this morning, right?” he asks.

“Of course we are. We are staying at that house in the quarter I like so much. Would you believe that Frenchmen still owns the place?” I ask him.

“Well, Frenchie is over 1000 years old. I seriously doubt he will ever sell it. Plus he loves New Orleans,” he says.

“True, I kind of just thought he would have moved out of the quarter by now, but I guess he does love that place. Well, we all do,” I say.

“No, Frenchie will never leave New Orleans, girl. He loves that town. There is a lot there for him. He loves that city no matter how rough things get, he will never leave,” he says.

“I knew he did, but I know how things got down there for a while, for you know the vampires,” I say.

Jules leans in and hugs me. “Listen, you girls, be careful. Do not get into any trouble. I need you to come back here. I will never find another girl like you and do not want to even have to try to be honest,” he says.

I bear hug him. What the hell! Let me grease him up. “We will. You know where we will be in the quarter. I am sure not much has changed. The city is always evolving, except for the places we like to hang out,” I tell him.

I give Jules an extra squeeze and head for my dressing room. My shift is over. It is time to change clothes and get my girl picked up. I open the door to my dressing room. Thank goodness I brought everything with me. I do not want to make the drive to my apartment this morning. Hopefully, Tara will drive so I can catch a quick nap.

I grab some comfortable clothes out of my closet and make my way to the shower. I try to hurry. I am so excited. Tara and I have made this trip several times, but this time is different. This time I know she is hurting. My job as her best friend is to make sure she does not think about that idiot the entire trip.

I finish my shower and dress quickly. I slip into some leggings and a tee. I want to be extra comfortable for the ride. I cannot wait to see Frenchie. I hope Lou is still the bartender at the Quarter Bar and Grill on Bourbon. It would be nice to see him.

I toss my clothes into my laundry basket and leave a twenty for the laundry girl. I grab my bag and search for my flip-flops. I see the flips by the door. I slip into them as I open the door.

When I open the door, Jules is standing there waiting for me.

“Hey, I thought I know this is a girl trip but would you girls like some company? I had to ask but I have to go to New Orleans last minute. Could you use a driver?” He asks.

Hmmm. That is strange, but I will bite. “Sure, but what is the reason? I know you, and I know you hardly ever leave this club. So, what is so important?” I ask him.

Jules shuffles around. “Look, my brother is missing. No one has heard from him for a few weeks. He is lives right down the way from Frenchman. I am sure I get a room from Frenchman in one of his other houses so I am not in your way. I will not be in your and Tara's way. I do not want to pop into town alone without reason. You know how they are when a vampire pops in that is not a part of the AUTHORITY. They will drag me in and question me for hours,” he says.

“Jules, it is fine. I am headed out now. Come on. We would love the company and another driver. I am too tired to drive. I need a nap,” I say.

I kiss Jules on the cheek and grab his arm. I would do anything for him. Jules has been there for me on more than one occasion. When I left my husband and came to LayBayou, he gave me a job as a waitress. Jules looks out for every one of his girls as he calls us. He doesn’t put up with any nonsense. He is a challenging but fair boss. We have gotten extra close over the years but never crossed the line. I do not think it has ever even crossed our minds to mess up our friendship.

We walk to the car. Jules takes my bag and places it in the trunk. “Packed lightly, didn’t you,” he says as he opens the trunk, “Never mind, I see the rest,” he says with a big laugh.

“Can you drive?” I ask, pleading with my eyes. I am absolutely too tired to drive.

“Sure, Straight to Tara's, I assume,” he says.

“Yes, I can catch a quick nap before the party starts,” I say with a big yawn.

Jules takes the wheel. Thank goodness he is going. I can sleep all the way there.

“Is her husband gone or is he still there?” he asks.

“Ex-husband, and he is still around. He has a few weeks to vacate. She hopes he will leave while we are gone. He is a real bastard that one,” I say.

Jules drives way too fast for my taste, but I let it slide. I have been around vampires my entire life, and one thing is for sure they do everything quickly. I was married to a high-ranking member of the authority for several years. I know more about the vampire business than I ever wanted to know.

“I hate to ask, but do you think your ex could locate my brother? I am not sure the authority will help me. So do you think you could ask him for me?” he asks.

I roll my eyes at him. “I can try, but you know he may or may not. You know how they are. Do not get it wrong. The marriage was bad, but our friendship was genuine. I have no hate in my heart for Lester. Hell, I think I still love him if I am honest about it,” I tell him.

“Oh! I know better than anyone. Remember when he came to the club and threatened to banish me from daylight hours. The man has a temper. If he can help, that would be great. I need to report in to the Authority as soon as I get there and that I am there for obvious reasons,” he says.

“Yeah, I know. Lester is not really an ass. He just plays one in the council. He might help. I will bat my eye lashes at him a few times and shake my ass,” I say with a laugh.

Jules pulls into Tara’s house. All the lights are off, which is odd. That bastard better not have hurt her. I will kill him. I look for signs of life, but it is really dark.

“Do you see anything or hear anything Jules,” I ask.

He listens carefully. As he listens, Tara runs for the car. She jumps in the backseat. “GO GO GO! Fucking Hell that man is a real bastard !” she yells.